Vihiga Cranes, who won the boys' race, and Lugari Progressive, who won the girls' race, in Bungoma County have been declared the fifth edition of Safaricom Chapa Dimba Western Region champions.
The boys' championship was won by Vihiga Cranes, who just edged out Busia's Musokoto Secondary 1-0 in a thrilling final.
The turning point came in the 61st minute when Tonny Omondi came up with the solution to head home Luke Ramsey's corner and win the regional title for the Vihiga County people.
Vihiga Cranes kept the lead to deliver a sterling season and qualify for a national finals berth, as Musokoto was pushing for an equaliser.
Vihiga Cranes head coach Francis Muhambe applauded his players for their discipline in a challenging final.
The latest victory was special, but Muhambe said his side's goal is no longer just to win the Western Region as their ambitions now stretch to other levels.
He credited the opportunity that came to them, saying Vihiga Cranes were ultimately rewarded for the opportunity that came their way and it was a firm test from Musokoto.
The next challenge now comes with the nationals which is to be the continuation of the successful run secured by the Western Region champions.
The final was even closer for the girls as Lugari Progressive and Chakol Girls of Busia played a goalless draw in the 45 minutes of regular time.
Neither side could get a breakthrough so the title was drawn from the PK area.
Lugari Progressive had to show mental strength to come out from that shootout with a 5-4 record and the Western Region girls' title.
Coach Fred Serenge congratulated his team for their determination and focus during the game, and they have earned the right to win the regional championship.
Lugari Progressive and Vihiga Cranes won each Ksh250,000, in addition to smartphones and airtime for the win.
The two teams will also compete for the Western Region in the Safaricom Chapa Dimba national finals.
Runners-up schools, Musokoto Secondary School and Chakol Girls each got Ksh150,000 and smartphones and airtime.
Oustanding individual performances were also noted in the regional competition with the recognition of a number of players.
Musokoto's Elvis Ogiro won the Most Valuable Player award in the boys' competition while Hanifa Mashasha from Chakol girls won the award in girls competition.
In the boys' category, Nabo Ochieng of Musokoto was awarded as the Best Goalkeeper while in the girls' category Shamsy Pachanga of Lugari Progressive was the recipient of the same award.
Hanifa Mashasha, Lydia Laura, Zipporah Wanyonyi, Delphine Mutirira and Viola Chepkorir shared the top scorer in the girls' side of the contest.
The boys' competition saw Mellon Omondi and Tonny Omondi of Vihiga Cranes maintain their top-scorer status with the Musokoto players Rom Okitwi, Frankline Paul and Calvin Masai.
Award prizes of Ksh30,000 each were given to the Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer.
The MVPs also won Ksh30, 000 and a fully-funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.
The Western Region tournament has concluded and the Safaricom Chapa Dimba will be held in the Central Region.
The following regional finals will be held at Wang'uru Stadium, Kirinyaga County on August 29 and 30.
